Etiquette Essentials

Japan is famously polite, and the politeness is systemic rather than performative. You will not be arrested for minor faux pas, but awareness of the basics earns genuine goodwill and prevents the friction that overtourism is already causing.

Greeting and body language

Bow, do not shake hands. A slight nod of the head suffices for casual encounters. Deeper bows signal greater respect or apology. Do not bow with palms pressed together (that is Thai, not Japanese). Most Japanese understand that foreigners are unfamiliar with bowing nuance and will not judge a clumsy attempt.

“Irasshaimase” is what staff shout when you enter a shop or restaurant. No response is required — a smile or nod is plenty.

Shoes and indoor spaces

This is the rule tourists break most. Remove shoes at the genkan (entryway) of homes, ryokan, some restaurants, temples, and castles. The elevated floor marks the boundary; never step on it in outdoor shoes. Turn your shoes to face the door after removing them.

Slipper protocol: wear the house slippers provided; remove them before stepping onto tatami (stocking feet only). Separate toilet slippers exist for bathrooms — switch into them when entering, switch out when leaving. Forgetting to remove toilet slippers is the most common foreigner mistake.

Train manners

Trains are quiet zones. Do not talk on the phone. Set it to silent mode (“manner mode” in Japanese). Keep conversations low. Queue at platform markings and wait for passengers to exit before boarding.

Do not eat on urban trains. Long-distance trains (shinkansen, limited express) allow eating and drinking at your seat. Take off backpacks in crowded trains and hold them in front of you or place them on luggage racks.

Stand on the left side of escalators (right in Osaka). Though walking on escalators is increasingly discouraged, the de facto standing side remains important.

Public space rules

• No eating while walking in many areas, particularly near temples and in traditional districts. Find a bench or eat at the stall where you bought the food.
• Trash cans are scarce. Carry your garbage with you until you find a bin (usually at convenience stores or train stations). See our note on trash/recycling.
• No smoking except in designated areas. Street smoking bans are enforced in most city centers.
• Blow your nose discreetly. Do not blow loudly in public; step away or use a restroom. Sniffling repeatedly is socially preferred over a dramatic nose-blow.

The respect defaults

When uncertain about anything, the safe defaults are: be quiet, stay out of the way, follow what everyone else is doing, and err on the side of formality. The Japanese concept of “meiwaku” (causing trouble for others) is the core principle. If your behavior might inconvenience someone — do not do it.